Author: Lawrence Block

Genre: Crime, Mystery, Humor

Subject: Murder

Rating: ***** (5 Stars)

Summary:

The Burglar in the Rye is one of Lawrence Block’s many “Bernie Rhodenbarr” novels, which are set in Manhattan. Bernie is a burglar. Not just any burglar, he is a highly skilled burglar, who prides himself on never leaving any sign of his presence in a home, except for the absence of valuable items of course. In fact, he has nothing but contempt for smash and grab artists who clumsily force their way in, and leave messes in their wake.

Bernie also owns a used bookstore, which he runs during the day. He rarely makes much of a profit, but that’s all right with him. It provides good cover for his real source of income.

Author: Jeffrey Archer

Genre: Crime, Humor

Subject: Conning the Con Man

Rating: ***** (5 Stars)

Summary:

Harvey Metcalfe is the son of Polish immigrants to the U.S. Through hard work, ingenuity, and a lack of scruples, he has become quite wealthy, mostly through shady deals and con jobs. The story begins when Harvey pulls off a stock scam that nets him one million dollars from four previously well-off British professionals: James Brigsley, an earl; Stephen Bradley, a mathematics professor at Oxford; Robin Oakley, a private physician; Jean-Pierre Lamanns, an art dealer.

After learning of his financial ruin, Bradley, the professor, contacts the other three victims and persuades them to dine with him. Over dinner, they agree that they are going to take back their money. Each of them is to generate a plan to con Metcalfe out of a portion of the million dollars, with the understanding that they will take only what they have lost, plus expenses.

Update (1/27/2012): I’ve updated this list to include several books I wasn’t aware of when I first published this post.

I noticed recently that I’ve been getting search engine referrals with the search terms “Harry Bosch chronological.” I assume that means people are looking for a chronological list of Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch novels so they can read them in order. I don’t think that’s necessary, but who am I to deny my readers the information they want? I did a little research and put together a list. I haven’t read all of these yet, but I’ve commented on the ones I’m familiar with. This list can be verified at Michael Connelly’s website.

Author: Michael Connelly

Genre: Crime

Subject: Murder investigation

Rating: ***** (5 Stars)

Summary:

The Black Ice is one of Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch novels. Each novel stands alone, so you don’t have to read them in order, but you can see a chronological list by clicking here.The Black Ice begins when narcotics officer Cal Moore is found dead in an apparent suicide. As an investigation into the death of an officer, the case is forwarded directly to LAPD’s elite Robbery/Homicide Division, which quickly writes it off as suicide. Bosch, however, is not so sure, and begins his own “freelance” investigation against departmental orders.

In Trunk Music, Detective Bosch responds to a crime scene where a body is stuffed in the trunk of an abandoned Rolls Royce. Predictably, the Rolls and the body belong to the same person, Tony Aliso, who turns out to be a shady character involved in money laundering and the production of bad movies.

Author: Joseph Finder

Genre: Crime, Mystery

Subject: Corporate Espionage, Blackmail

Rating: **** (4 Stars)

Summary:

Adam Cassidy is a slacker. He prides himself on doing as little work as possible, and it shows in his performance reviews. He has not had a raise or promotion since he started work at Wyatt Telecom, a high-tech company. The only reason he is working a white-collar job instead of tending bar is that he is helping out with his dying father’s medical expenses. The older Cassidy has end-stage emphysema, and is so grouchy and unpleasant to be around, that his live-in caregivers keep quitting. It falls to Adam to find a replacement each time, despite the fact that nursing agencies won’t give him the time of day anymore, and only convicted felons will answer the want ad.

Author: Robert Crais

Genre: Mystery

Rating: ***** (5 Stars)

Summary:

Max Holman has just completed a ten year prison sentence for bank robbery. Upon being released, he learns that his son, Richie, a Los Angeles police officer, was one of four officers killed in a shooting. The police close the case as a revenge killing, but Holman, feeling that the facts don’t add up, starts looking for more information.

While seeking the truth about his son, Holman attempts to re-establish contact with Richie’s mother, Donna Banik, only to learn that she has died. His only remaining connection to Richie is Liz Holman, Richie’s widow. From Liz, he learns that Richie and the other three murdered officers were investigating a pair of serial bank robbers named Marchenko and Parsons, who were killed in a shootout with police.Curious as to why uniformed officers were conducting an investigation that was officially closed, and that would normally be assigned to detectives, Holman enlists the help of Katherine Pollard, a retired FBI agent.Together, they learn that over $16 million from the Marchenko and Parsons robberies was never recovered, and that the four murdered officers were looking for it.